United Kingdom: Commissioner Addresses Human Rights Issues in Policing of Protests and the Situation of Trans People

Commissioner addresses human rights issues in policing of protests and the situation of trans people.

Finally, he encourages the government to reconsider certain protest-related provisions in the Crime and Policing Bill currently before the House of Lords, specifically the proposed new offence of concealing one’s identity, as well as restrictions on assemblies in the vicinity of places of worship.

Situation of trans people

In a separate letter addressed to the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Women and Equalities Committee, the Commissioner shares observations on human rights standards that must be upheld in further steps following the UK Supreme Court’s judgment in For Women Scotland. 

He sets out key elements of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights that should be taken into consideration in this process. 

The Commissioner warns against measures that could exclude trans people from many areas of life. He also cautions against tendencies to view the human rights of different groups as a zero-sum game, noting that this approach builds on prejudice against trans people.